The Trump administration has formalised a crackdown on visas for individuals it accuses of censoring free speech, including fact-checkers and content moderators. A state department memo sent to overseas missions this week directs consular officials to reject applicants deemed responsible for or complicit in censorship of protected expression in the United States.
The order, first reported by Reuters and NPR, focuses initially on H-1B visas for skilled foreign workers but applies to all visa categories. Officials are instructed to scrutinise applicants' work histories, including LinkedIn profiles, social media accounts and media mentions, for involvement in combating misinformation, content moderation, and trust and safety activities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously pledged to bar entry to those suppressing free speech, stating that foreigners who undermine American rights should not enjoy the privilege of travelling to the US. The memo follows President Donald Trump's criticism of tech companies for banning him from social media platforms after the Capitol riot.
Critics warn the restrictions will harm vital work. Alice Goguen Hunsberger of PartnerHero told NPR that trust and safety includes protecting children and preventing fraud, and that global workers in this field keep Americans safer. A state department spokesperson defended the move, citing Trump's own experience of being banned from social media and vowing to defend Americans' freedom of expression.
